The simulator not supporting Open GL is definitely a bit of a downer, but the Core graphics set is pretty decent for a lot of uses (although obviously not for rotating a 3D teapot, for instance).
I didn't realize, though, that the SDK does not seem to support accessing the iTunes library for playback. This really seems like a fairly strong handed restriction - I could see restrictions on manipulating the library itself but removing access completely shuts out a large portion of the functionality. So no new visualizers, music based games, podcasting, or mix software for you. I can't see where there's a DRM issue here, it's not like you'll be burning CD's off the thing ... so it really feels more like a stranglehold on the iTunes experience.
Also the SDK's dev site has a bit to be desired. There's no real search functionality, Getting beyond the surface topics and basic tutorials are difficult at best and OS X topics are interwoven with the iPhone ones with the occasional "has not been reviewed for accuracy" on the latter note. For instance, I can't even find a page that overviews the above and if you google "iPhone SDK restrictions", two full pages of result don't include any information from Apple.com itself.
I was going to take some time today and try and port my old visualizer code over to the iPhone ... but apparently that's out...
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Some iPhone SDK Disappointments
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What I'm curious to see is what kind of networking capabilities are going to be spported. Obviously they have some limitations on this or Skype would eat their lunch.
I think the support there actually seems pretty decent. I'm already able to pull some RSS-like info and do things with it - and I get the impression that slinging some packets around is possible.
It makes me wonder, actually, if it wouldn't be possible to hook into, say, a Last.fm feed and play with that. I just don't know how many people would want to spend minutes or WiFi time listening to music.
So I actually found some code, completely by random, on accessing the music library ... so now I don't know if this is a technical restriction (guess not) or and SDK agreement....
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